Silly kitty

This is Groucho.  He is the laziest silliest cat on the planet.  We thought the coyotes or an eagle would snatch him long ago as when he walks about he meows. Loudly.  Meow, meow, meow, meow...  It's easy to know which cat is walking up the driveway in the dark.  He's not very friendly and when I spotted him sunning himself, we were both surprised to see each other.  My daughter is the one he likes the most and with her gone to school most of the year, you would think he would warm up to me.  He never misses food time and is quick to steal a mouse from Momma Kitty.  I'm not too much of a cat person, so he is a great cat for me to have around - or not....

Poppies

I would have to rank poppies as one of my top 10 flowers.  The bright colour always catches my eye.  This year I am happy to be home while they bloom.  I've missed the poppies a few years because of travel.  Last year my daughter sent a picture of the blooms to me, but just not the same as enjoying them in person.  Too bad the blooming season is so very short.

May 27: Bull frog

I have a small fish pond in one of my gardens.  The fish died out a few years ago, but the bull frogs do quite well!  I rather enjoy watching them.  This little guy was sunning himself when I was doing some weeding.  He sat there long enough for me to walk up to the house and return with my camera.  Nice of him to wait!

May 24th - bc (before covid 19) flashback

I was cleaning up a few files and came across this pic from our trip to Hawaii.  Only 5 months ago, but it now seems like a life time ago!  It still makes me smile!

May 23: Indigo Bunting

Can you believe the beautiful colour this bird wears?  He is all fluffy due to a rain storm that came thru and ruffled his feathers.  I've been so excited by the variety of birds that have visited our yard this year.

May 22

I've been after my husband for a long time to fill this crack.  Now I think I shall plant a little garden instead

May 21 - Mountain ash

Dainty and lacey.  My little tree is finally blooming!

Tarts. Yummy!

My new go to in the kitchen is wonton sheets!  They make the cutest little tarts.

Leaf ladder

What kind of little critter would use this leaf ladder to climb to the top of the tree?  Maybe a sprite?

May 18: Hidden behind the garage

Mullein - I read that mullein tea (using the leaves), is good for a cough and other respiratory conditions. Generally considered safe with few side effects. 

May 17: Step on a crack...

I realized that I shouldn't be happy with this crack in the driveway, but face it, it looks arty!

By taking this picture, I also remember now that I need to paint the green bench on the porch.  That old to do list.... it never seems to get any shorter.

May 16: Flowering Crab

This is my favorite tree on our property.  In the winter, the cardinals flock to this tree and in the spring the pink petals are fragrant and beautiful.  Too bad the flowers last such a short time.

May 15th: Mushroom!

Always fun to find a treasure while weeding:

May 14

I opened the box with my scale for weighing dye and this little guy popped out!

Making masks

It's been interesting to see the masks people are wearing when I venture out (rarely).  On a video chat with my son yesterday, I noted that he had a bandana tied around his neck.  He didn't want me to make a mask, but I may still stick a Chicago Cubs fabric mask in the mail to him.
Anyway - I've made a few for family.   My mask recipe:

I like the fitted style and found a pattern on Pinterest.  I reminds me of the end of a canoe.  I cut 2 outer fabric, 2 interfacing and 2 lining pieces.

I basted the interfacing to the back of the outer fabric:

Next step is to sew the fronts together (right sides together) on the the curved edge.  I did the same with the lining fabric:

Open the pieces and match the front and lining, right sides together, and stitch on the two long sides:

I used a 3/8 inch seam to sew the pieces together.  I had basted at about 1/4 inch and wanted to be sure to hide my basting stitches:

After both sides are stitched, turn the mask with right sides out.  I pinned the pieces and top stitched to hold the mask in place. 

I had to trim about an inch off of each end.  I made them a little too long.  Better too long than too short!:

For this mask I am using seam binding ties.  I have run out of elastic and I have plenty of seam binding in my stash.  Good time to use it up!  I cut 2 pieces at 44" long.  I positioned the seam binding with the top tie at 22" and the bottom at 18".  The top needs to be longer to go around your head and the bottom can be shorter around your neck.  Unless you have a really big neck and little tiny head! 

I pinned it on the mask, but for the rest of the tie, I just folded it and held it to stitch from one end all the way to the other:

If you want to show better seamstress skills, open the seam binding and stitch it on the back side of the mask. Stitching on the fold line:

Then wrap the binding around the mask and pin and stitch in place:

I used single fold bias tape.  Note the price!  Yes this has been in my stash for awhile

On my first mask I used 1/4" elastic bands that go around my head and neck.  I turned the edge of the mask about an inch and stitched it in place.  The bands are 14" for the top and 10" for the bottom.  I have a big head and lots of hair, the mask I made for my niece was smaller and elastic much shorter.  

On this solid mask I decided to embroider a word on the inside so I could easily tell the top from the bottom.  Only problem with this is that I embroidered it upside down!  It still makes me laugh at myself each time I see it!

Silly me, I should be able to tell the top from the bottom just from the length of the elastic!

I'm praying that we aren't wearing these for very long, but my gut tells me differently.  I have discovered that wearing a hat on bad hair days really helps!

May the 12th

My friend Jill is always delighted to find bird feathers during our walks.  I learned quickly while traveling with her that each feather found was safely tucked away in her backpack.  Yesterday while walking the dog, these feathers spoke to me.  Remembering that Jill believes that they are gifts from heaven from her son, I saved them for her. 

May 11th - apple blossoms

I have 3 apple trees covered in blossoms. If the freezing temps of the last few nights didn't get them, there should be a fabulous apple harvest this year.  I especially enjoy dehydrating apples.  The aroma fills the house and the eating isn't bad either!  Time will tell and in this weird covid time, we are all getting used to waiting.

May 10th - orioles

This is my first year to have orioles that actually stay for a few days.  There are at least 6 of them busy visiting the feeder.  As soon as I saw the first one, out came the grape jelly.  And yes - they really do love the jelly!

May 9th - lettuce

Each year for Mother's Day, my mom, sister and I try to go for lunch and nursery shopping.  We all love gardening and mom always has us pick out a plant for a gift.  No lunch this year.  Instead Dee and I both spent the night at mom's.  Mom made us dinner and we sat out on the sun porch talking for hours after eating.  Very nice time indeed. 

Shopping was brief, as we were trying to not be around people.  Besides wearing a mask is uncomfortable.  I did find a special treasure for my garden.  I have a small fish pond that I have never really worked at adding plants. In fact, the pond hasn't had fish for years.  Instead it has become a bull frog pond.  Tucked away in a corner at the nursery was a tank with 'water lettuce'.  That was the perfect mother's day gift for me.  Now I will also need some gold fish.... 

May the 8th - under the lid

I opened the dye jar and tossed the lid aside.  Then - observation! The lid was repelling the dye.  I must have shaken the jar at some point leaving a small amount of thickened dye to create fabulous designs.  I'm very happy with the way the dye printed on fabric. Little full moons!

May 7th - rather fishy...

Happy to announce that Mauricio caught his first fish! He looks so happy!

Wednesday May the 6th - giant fruit

I had an appointment with my cancer doctor this morning. Blood draw, Prolia shot, and a short visit with my doctor.  She was in a rather friendly and talkative mood for a change. We talked about how our kids are handling the changes in our lives with the Covid 19 rules and threats.  She encouraged me call any time I needed to talk to someone. I left with warm fuzzies (and a slightly sore arm).

In the the waiting room, in the corner, this giant fruit caught my eye. How playfully fun!

Mess making does spark joy!

An afternoon of dyeing always calms me.

May 4th

I really should do something Star Warsish today, but I have nothing.  Instead, let me share this lovely tulip.  The only tulip I have blooming. How magnificent the detail on this beauty!

May 3rd - violets

I was excited to find these little very unique violets while walking Percy this afternoon. I love how they are scattered thru out the forest like little treasures waiting to be found.